As an Aussie, my favourite time of the year has always been summer. And now as an adopted Brightonian, I love it even more.

You see, I reckon summer is even more fun here in the UK, because it’s never expected – we all go through the hardship of a hideous long winter which makes those Game of Thrones Starks look like piss poor lightweights, and then when the two or so weeks of summer finally hits, everyone is so bloody overjoyed that they do bonkers spontaneous things… like stripping off down to their undies in parks, or cartwheeling into fountains for a refreshing quick twenty lengths. Summer is much more nonchalant in Australia because good weather is pretty much always guaranteed, and I think somehow it lacks some of the downright craziness which oozes out of us desperate pasty Brits.

The month of May in Brighton is the literal warm-up to all things good. Temperatures are starting to rise, the evenings are getting lighter and it’s the beginning of the Brighton festival season – the Brighton Festival runs for pretty much the whole of May every year. This is always fantastic… but the festival I really look forward to every year is the Brighton Fringe. It runs alongside the main festival (this year from 1st – 31st May 2015) and is the cooler, edgier, punkier little sister of the main event. It is England’s largest arts festival (second in the UK only to the Edinburgh Festival) and is one of the largest fringe festivals in the world.

The Brighton Fringe is inspired by home-grown creativity and, despite its size, has a community feel, offering support for local acts as well as those from further afield. And this year’s will be as inspirational as ever – a whole month devoted to a kaleidoscope of quirky acts including fantastic performances, dances, workshops, crafts, debates, installations, choirs, comedy, circus, cabaret, puppetry, poetry and a whole stack more!

From as little as £15, local Brighton residents can get some fantastic Fringe-related benefits including 2 for 1 tickets during the Brighton Fringe, no booking fees on tickets, an advance copy of the Brighton Fringe brochure, as well as invites to VIP events. Not only that, but it also gives you access to year-round discounts in Brighton’s best cafes, restaurants, bars, hotels and venues.

Jerk at Brighton Fringe 2014

Local businesses who’ve partnered with the Brighton Fringe to offer savings include Komedia, Foodilic, Blanch House, Riddle and Finns, Drakes Hotel, The Spa at The Grand, Bill’s, Merkaba, Proud Cabaret, MyHotel, The Royal Pavilion and Strada… plus many, many more. There are different levels of membership, but there’s sure to be one up your street that suits both your social life and your budget.

*Disclaimer: The lovely people at Brighton Fringe have very kindly offered to send me a Friends of Brighton Fringe membership card as a thank you for helping to spread the word about the wonders of the Brighton Fringe. I can personally vouch for the coolness of this festival, because I’ve been to many Fringe events over the years. This festie is fab and is one of the many reasons why I love love love living in Brighton. Bring on May!